On the Natural Disaster Reduction Policy and Management System in China

Abstract

China is one of the world’s most disaster prone countries, having been hit over the, centuries with famine, flood, earthquakes, to give only three examples. China has fought these disasters with massive works projects and with relief for hundreds if not thousands of years. This paper deals with the historical investigation of natural disaster reduction in China and the analysis of its three phases: the empirical, semi-empirical and the development of an integrated disaster response policy under the theory of system engineering. In order to suit this development the Chinese Government will have to adjust its disaster reduction policy “give top priority to the disaster’s prevention and to combine it with the relief operation for an integrated system of response”. A proposal is made to reform the existing management system of disaster reduction and to draw up a national law of integrated disaster reduction management.